In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
这片脑洞大开，不失为对未来的一种想象！类似天使爱美丽饱和度超高的家居设计。机器人写的人工智能之诗。可更换纹身与智能模拟味道的香水。Cosplay梦露的女主人。会写字已经是未来世界的文青。吃的小零食是烤蟋蟀。可以克隆替换的小狗智商堪忧。飞行汽车和无孔不入的tailored ad广告。人类是有缺点的生物，机器人的阿克琉斯之踵是芯片。发明了机器人，却惨遭背叛。恐怖谷效应。果然随意可调智商（降级为1）的是人类的好朋友，譬如那个可爱萌哒哒扫地机器人，人类还是喜欢智商碾压的快乐。爱因斯坦机器人的话唠模式。
全片唯一笑出声的地方是在居家机器人给性爱机器人讲笑话那里，而且让我比较惊讶的地方是作为一个科幻类型的电影，这里面所有的人类角色居然都比机器人要来的丰满的多，每个人物几乎都可以在现代社会找到代表人群，当剧情为了人物存在合理性妥协让步时，那种与类型不太相符的违和感就出来了，导致看的时候一直看不太进去，像一出闹剧。
从间谍行动中可以看见上世纪40年代英国的官员阶层与具体行动究竟在如何展开的大致轮廓，期间还穿插了多边的爱情线。结尾的大远景表达了一种英雄隐于市的心态，很喜欢。拍摄制作绝对一流。值得学习。
3.5 画面目不暇接加上法语中字就很容易脑短路 未来概念设计好评 法式幽默 古怪诡异机器人
20220705——175；剧情改编自真实事件，二战时期一个迷惑德军掩盖盟军西西里岛登陆的欺敌行动。科林·费尔斯依旧帅。
而作为英伦群像正剧，故事四平八稳，严肃温和。
改信的情节简直是当下社畜的映照，感情戏略多余，把节奏打乱了又没有发挥好塑造人物形象的作用。
hope the ending of our planet filled with light as well
把诺曼底登陆美化成二战转折点我就要吐了 垃圾
看的国语配音版且配得较为生动没有违和感，所以看起来没那么累挺流畅的
没必要硬凑各种副线，伊恩弗莱明出境就可以了，知道的会心一笑，不知道的也不影响情节，何必刻意加戏呢，红楼梦也只是王熙凤随口一嘴暗示一下曹家接待康熙的盛况，不了解曹家的也不影响看小说
老式机器人保护主人不被大规模机器叛乱波及将其锁在家中……剧情发展过于荒诞。不过法国电影还是比美国的多了点哲学气息庄周梦蝶都搬出来了~不过搞笑段落还是少了些……
看到评分惊住了，坚持亮出自己的五星来坚持担忧：当各种指令和密码被造出维护个人利益时，安全似乎在升级，但实际被后台把控了决定权。于是，提心吊胆维护绿码的恐惧也许就是开端。
居然让我联想到了《华氏四五一度》。法国人好像总是很喜欢让故事发生在一个限定的空间内。影片再短些就好了。
联系: so ta ma what，我都看不懂了，还联系个屁实际。
改编自二战1943年西西里岛登陆战役，惊心动魄的欺敌战术，倒叙的电影叙事。真实事件背后的情报战也同样是好题材。虽然剧本中规中矩，部分不必要情节可以删减。
两任达西先生对戏啧啧啧，完全没有啥亮点。剧情其实还ok，无功无过的纪录片一样。詹森艾萨克好帅少帅，多给一颗星！！
不是很精彩，但是极现实。谋事在人成事在天。做事有时候确实需要运气。
虽然夸张了点，整体还不错啊，机器人的乌托邦，人类的地狱天堂
最能共情的片段是是大家能终于可以出去的时候机器人管家说现在新冠疫情要隔离三个月，吓哭
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